Nolan Ray Rogers

Representative Rogers will lie in Repose from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 29, 2020, outside near the steps of the State Capitol on the South side facing Congress Street. There will be guest books to sign to pay respects as you walk by/drive by. Celebration of Life Services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Ray Rogers Stadium, Pearl High School, 500 Pirate Cove, Pearl, MS, with interment in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.

Ray was a true leader in every good sense of the word and positive leadership was his strong point. He had an unforgettable smile, a kind, caring, charismatic personality and a friendly way about him that made everyone he met feel valued, special, and welcome. He had an abiding affection for his fellow citizens, was a champion for veterans, and put service before self. Ray taught us that life is not just about us, but that other lives matter and we are all better and richer because of other people. He was a naturally gifted athlete, a proud patriot who loved his country, a devout Christian, a volunteer devoted to helping groups and individuals, an exemplary role model, and he always had a good story to tell. He was fun loving and a jokester who enjoyed people and shared with them his keen sense of humor.

Nolan Ray Rogers was born at home just East of Jackson across the Pearl River on July 3, 1931, to Ernest Lazarus Rogers and Ellen Viola Collins Rogers. His siblings, except for his sister, Mary Ernestine Murray (John C.) of Pearl, all who predeceased him, were Mildred Eiland (Pete), James Niermon Rogers (Phyllis), Collis Joseph Rogers, Maggie Elizabeth Morgan (Earl), Lazarus Matthews Rogers, and Rosanna Rogers, all of Pearl. He was a lifelong resident of Pearl and attended Pearl Schools from 1939-1951. When the high school opened in 1948, he was among the group of upcoming high school students who were instrumental in choosing the new school colors of blue and gold and the mascot, the Pirate. Ray was a member of the graduating Class of 1951 and was elected Senior Class President, Mr. Pearl High School, Most Versatile, and Most Athletic. He was the first quarterback and captain of the Pearl High School football team, threw the first touchdown pass, and was named to the All Conference, All State, and Mississippi High School All Star teams. He was drafted into professional baseball out of high school and signed a contract with to the Washington Senators, now the Minnesota Twins. Ray played second base for several years on the organization’s minor league farm teams. He later played second base and managed/coached the Jackson Senators semi pro baseball team, and in 1985 was selected to the Mississippi Semi Pro Baseball Hall of Fame. Ray met the love of his life, Shirley Jane Greer, in 1952. They were married on June 16, 1953, which Ray said was the luckiest day of his life. For sixty-eight years, Shirley was his best friend and almost inseparable ally.

Ray was among the group of community leaders who chartered the Pearl Jaycees, formed the Pearl Pirate Booster/Touchdown Club and pushed for the incorporation of the City of Pearl and was considered among the city’s “Founding Fathers.” He was a volunteer coach for boys’ baseball and girls’ softball in the Pearl Youth Association for 17 years. Ray also was the volunteer public address announcer, the “Voice of the Pirates,” for 55 years for the high school football team and for 44 years served as the announcer for the “Award Winning Pearl Pirate Band.”

Ray was a member of the Pearl Kiwanis Club, Pearl Chamber of Commerce, the Civitan Club, John P. Byrd Masonic Lodge of Pearl, and the Scottish Rite.

In 1983, Ray was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives where he served as a very active member for 36 years. He served on the following committees: Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, PEER, Ways and Means, Banking and Financial Services, County Affairs, Ethics, Investigate State Offices, Public Property, and the House Management Committee. As a member of the House of Representatives, he worked to bring economic growth and job opportunities to Pearl and Rankin County. He was a member of the team of elected officials responsible for bringing Trustmark Park and the Mississippi Braves to Pearl. He played a big role in acquiring Bass Pro Shops and the Outlets of Mississippi which employ over 1,000 people in Pearl. Additionally, he was helpful in building a Senior Citizen’s center and The Veterans Affairs/Veterans Home Board building. As Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, he played a significant role in acquiring $300 million from the Federal Government and $100 million from the State of Mississippi to build three Veterans Nursing Homes located in Oxford, Collins, and Kosciusko.

In October of 2008, Ray was honored by the Pearl Public Schools Board of Education by naming the football stadium the “Ray Rogers Stadium”. The City of Pearl created a community service award in Ray Rogers’s name and the award is presented each year on Pearl Day to a person in the community for their contribution to volunteerism. The Pearl Chamber of Commerce created a President’s Distinguished Service Award in 2019 in recognition of a lifetime of leadership and service to the City of Pearl and presented it to Ray and Shirley. Ray was honored by being awarded the Citizen of the Year, the Pillar of the Community in 1992, and again with his wife, Shirley, in 2006. He was one of the first two inductees of the Pearl Schools Alumni Wall of Fame and was in the first class to be inducted into the Pearl School Football Hall of Fame.

Ray was a loyal member of McLaurin Heights United Methodist Church for 50 years.

Ray exemplified the importance of public service. He believed that we are obligated to serve, that service is a part of success, and that the fulfillment of a good life is in serving others. He modeled for us that service is noble and necessary.

With memories to cherish, Ray leaves behind his wife, Shirley, of Pearl. He also was a major presence in the lives of his daughters Sherry Downs (Joel), Pearl, Pam Rogers (Allison), Madison, Kim Rogers, Pearl, his grandchildren Jordan Downs (Carolyn), Washington, D.C., John Rogers (Alisha), Pearl, Walker Prestel and Jane Ellen Prestel, Pearl, and great grandchildren Kruise and Mary Kamdyn Atwood of Pearl, sister, Ernestine Murray, Pearl, nieces, nephews, extended family and a “Whole host of Pirates,” which he and his family always considered family.

Ray’s life was well lived. He loved and was loved. He often remarked that he had a wonderful life and considered himself one of the luckiest people because he was blessed by his family, his church family, his work family, and his hometown Pearl Pirate Family. Ray Rogers will be missed and fondly remembered by many because his kindness left a permanent mark etched on our hearts. The sound of his laughter and his resounding voice, “The Voice of the Pirates,” may be silenced, but will forever remain in our memories and in the incredible legacy he leaves us to carry. He left the world a better place than he found it.

The family is very humbled and thankful for the compassion and remarkable outpouring of respect and admiration that has been shown for our husband, “Daddy”, and “Pop.”

We request in lieu of flowers, please donate to: Pearl Educational Foundation, P. O. Box 5664, Pearl, MS 39288-5664; Pearl Public Schools Athletics, 3375 Highway 80 East, Pearl, MS 39208; or McLaurin Heights United Methodist Church, 325 Mary Ann Drive, Pearl, MS 39208.